Ex-COA chief enters 'not guilty' in PCSO plunder case

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Former Commission on Audit (COA) chief Reynaldo Villar entered a not guilty plea in the plunder charge against him in connection with the alleged irregular use of a P366 million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office fund.

Villar is one of the accused in the case, which has also includes former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He was arrested last week by operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) at Washington Square in Merville Park, Paranaque.

Villar filed a petition for bail subsequently.

In today’s hearing, the prosecution sought a delay in resolving the motion supposedly due to new evidence available.

The defense countered the motion, saying Villar would have stay in jail longer.

Sandiganbayan Justice Efren dela Cruz gave the prosecution a chance, but warned he will not allow further delays in the future. – from a report by Johnson Manabay. dzMM